A new report from Lincoln Financial Group, “Personal
Finance: What Women Do Better Than Men,” considers ways men and women differ as
decisionmakers when it comes to personal finance and retirement planning.

One key finding is that “female decisionmakers are more
likely to incorporate financial products that help accumulate assets to provide
income for retirement, such
as an annuity, into their financial plans than male decisionmakers.”

According to Jamie Ohl, president, retirement plan services,
Lincoln Financial Group, the findings “generally show that women, more than
men, understand the importance of saving, recognize that unexpected events have
the potential to disrupt financial stability, and are taking action to help
secure their financial futures.” Women have the opportunity
to build on these strengths, while also focusing on areas where they can
improve, such as taking steps to protect their income and wealth, she adds.

The research finds nearly all women (90%) say it’s “important
to stay on track of managing day-to-day living expenses,” compared to 79% of
men. And while both men and women are optimistic about their financial futures,
women are “more likely to say it is very important to save for the future,
which includes both retirement and other financial goals.” Women “also
understand the value of planning for income in retirement, as 71% believe
retirement income planning is an important wealth-protection strategy for the
future.”

Another important stat for retirement plan professionals to consider:
“As part of that strong focus on the future, women are more likely than men to view
life insurance as critical to their financial well-being, and they’re
taking action. In 2016, 56% of women surveyed owned life insurance, compared to
49% in 20134.”

Lincoln’s research
suggests women are also more aware than men that “unexpected issues
beyond their control could affect their financial futures.”

“This awareness sets the stage for women to put in place financial
protections that can help them be more prepared in the event of unforeseen
circumstances,” Ohl says. “It is important to note that just 16% of women feel
very confident that they would be able to cover their current expenses if they
were faced with a serious injury or illness.”

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